Customer Reviews

Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P46G10 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This is based on my experience with the TC-P50G10, which is identical to P46 but with a larger screen. I bought it three weeks ago, and am very happy with it. I did a lot of research and tried out a number of TVs before settling down on this one, so I thought I would share some of the information and my experience with the TV, and hopefully make your decision in choosing the TV a bit easier.

First thing first. According to my research, the Panasonic G10 probably has the best picture quality among all TVs in mass production as of the time of this review (May, 2009). Most importantly it has pitch dark black level, scorching brightness, high color accuracy, and good motion processing.

I chose the Panasonic plasma over Sony and Samsung LCD for a few reasons. (1) Compared to 120Hz LCDs, Panasonic is significantly cheaper than Sony and Samsung. (2) I think the G10 is better in handling motion than the 120HZ LCDs. (3) The colors on the plasma are more appealing to me than those on the LCDs. (4) It has superior viewing angle. It looks perfect from any angle you will actually watch the TV without washing out the color, prserving the quality of the color.

The third point on color appeal is subjective and calls for description of subjective experience. There are lots of technical comparison of the colors on different displays on the internet, but my perceptual experience is that the colors on the panasonic plasma is very vibrant, punchy, tantalizing, and mesmerizing. The colors look like things in real life, but they are more intense than real life. A friend said "it's prettier than real, but not distorted. It is just like an enhanced colorful world." If you prefer high fedelity to real life colors, you can use the THX mode to tune it down to be very faithful to studio color measures. LCD in comparison is also very vibrant, but it doesn't look as realistic. It's more like computer graphics and less like colors of living things. Technically, this may have to do with the deeper black level on the plasma than the LCD.

Before the G10, I had the Panasonic Viera TH-46PZ80U 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV. Both TVs have very appealing colors, but I returned the PZ80U and got the G10 because the G10 has a number of important improvements over the PZ80U: it has a brighter plasma display, has a VGA PC input, lower energy consumption, and more accurate color. Also, its frame is more compact, so I can fit a 50" G10 into the space that would only hold a 46" PZ80U. In fact, the G10 is brighter and more contrasty than last year's top model Panasonic TH-50PZ850U 50-inch Viera 1080p Plasma HDTV.

What else do I like about the TV? It is very bright for a Plasam TV. According to tech specs and online reviews, it is the bightest plasma ever made. In Custom Mode, it is more than bright enough to watch in my room with direct sun light (sun light in the room not on the TV). In Vivid Mode, "you should prepare to put on your ski googles". In fact, it's too bright and overly constrasty and saturated for regular viewing. However, it is quite useful in displaying low resolution and low quality online video such as YouTube or Netflix Instant Watch. The extra boost in brightness, contrast, and saturation make the low quality online video look much more appealing and lively.

VieraCast is kinda cool. Not a deal maker but certainly not a drawback. I used third party firmware DD-WRT to set up a Linksys WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router as a wireless bridge. So the TV can get online without running a cable to my main router.

I find this TV fits my needs perfectly. But no TV is perfect, at least not for the technically savvy.

So here are the cons:

(1) The sound is mediocre. It is fine to watch a TV show, but lackluster to watch a good movie or music show.

(1.2) True Cinema 24-frame mode flickering is perceptually disturbing because the refresh rate is set to 48 Hz in the mode. It is a pitty because motion does look much more life like and less video like in True-Cinema mode. Wish the TV could run at 72 Hz.

(2) My PC only has VGA out but no DVI out. (This point does not matter for those with DVI out on their computer. A DVI to VGA cable will work fine) The VGA input on the TV does not support 1080 HD. It only supports up to 1280x768. Panny should not cut corner here. Although this problem doesn't really matter for video contents because most computer video resolution is less than 1280x768. And the pixel interpolation effect on the Plasma is more like a CRT and less like an LCD. So the set is reasonably good at displaying contents with resolution lower than its native res.

(3) VieraCast needs improvement. The content is still limited. The search function of Youtube on VieraCast is not as easy to use as on a computer. The Amazon video on demand price is way too high (but this is not really Panny's problem). I would kill for a firmware upgrade that enables Netflix streaming.

(4) The remote is not as well laid out as the one on PZ80. The 3 big buttons above the directional keys are occupied by the rarely used VieraLink, VieraCast and VieraTool. The commonly used Menu key is moved to a small key. Totally wrong choice of ergonomics.

(5) VGA PC input is paired with RCA audio input. I wish it is a 3.5mm (1/8 ") mini jack instead, which will allow a single cable cable integrating VGA video and mini jack audio. Now I have to use two cables.

(6) The stand does not swivel.

Regardless of the above drawbacks, overall I find this TV to have the best picture quality and price combination. The pros by far outweigh the cons. The picture quality of this TV is truly amazing, as such some calls it "The New King of Plasma." Anyone seriously considering an HDTV should take a look at this one, now that the Pioneer Kuro exited the market.

I highly recommend it.

There has to be something wrong with plasmas, right?

That's what I kept telling myself as I searched for the perfect TV for my needs and budget.

I mean, this TCP46G10 I was looking at was hundreds of dollars less than comparably sized LCD TVs, got better reviews from CNET and Consumer Reports, and had better motion handling and viewing angles.

But I went to my local Best Buy or Fry's and only saw a few dusty plasmas in the corner of their showrooms. I got funny looks as I gave them some interest.

I saw several other customers basking in the fluorescent glow of the inaccurately bright colors of the LCD screens and realized that these people were essentially moths drawn to a flame. That must be why LCDs are selling so well.

What's more: It seemed like the LCDs (and even the LED-based LCDs) were touting all of these advancements that made their TVs more like plasmas. Plasma-like motion handling. Black levels like a plasma TV. Near-plasma viewing angles.

Well if they're selling themselves as almost like plasmas, why don't I just GET a plasma and save $500?

That settled it. I drove home and fired off an order for the TCP46G10 right away. (Amazon's prices were the lowest, and their shipping was fast and free.) The colors are natural (and plenty bright, thank you), and the motion is crisp.

In fact, there's nothing wrong with my plasma at all.

I've had the TV for a few weeks to evaluate it before writing a review and I can say that overall I'm very happy. Normally on a purchase like this I would tend to have some kind of buyer's remorse but so far I haven't.
The picture is great but as others have said, a bit dim on Standard. I've been using a customized Game setting for regular viewing which brightens things up a bit. The THX setting with Blu-Ray is great in a darkened room. I'm still playing with the picture settings, and while the experts seem to think there aren't enough to 'perfect' the picture quality I think there seem to be more than enough to adjust the TV to your preference.
The sound is very good considering it has downward facing speakers. I've listened to other TVs with that configuration that sound downright terrible; the Panasonic is way better. For watching regular TV, sports, etc. where you don't want to turn on the whole surround system, you will be very happy with the sound quality. My wife, who hates turning on more than one gizmo to watch and listen to TV, is very happy she can just use one remote.
A complaint that I have is some of the labels aren't very intuitive. For instance, if you want full 1920x1080 you have to select Size 2 to get no overscan. Why not just say 1920x1080 or 100%? There should be better explanations for the various choices. Another complaint is that the optical audio out only sends a 5.1 signal for the TV setting (over the air/cable settings); for all other devices it sends a digital stereo signal. I was hoping to eliminate some cables but alas the optical out doesn't make that happen. Panasonic confirmed that this is the case and there is no plan to change it.
The VieraCast is a very interesting function albeit a little slow. I have my TV connected via an ethernet bridge and it's been fun toying with YouTube videos on the screen. Amazon on Demand is also available but I haven't used that function yet. Rumor has it that Netflix on demand will be coming soon and that would be a great option.
Even with the complaints I have this is a great TV. The picture is great, the sound is very good, and the price was right. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new TV.

I own this TV, and love it. Mine still has low hours on it. However, Panasonic has designed the software in most of their 2008 and 2009 model plasma TV's to change the black level over time. This means that the ultra-deep black levels you saw when you first got it will go away after about 1000 to 1500 hours of use, rendering the blacks to look more like dark grey. Panasonic has admitted to this, CNet has verified the dramatic change in testing, and now a class action lawsuit has just been filed against Panasonic. I would advise everyone to stay away from Panasonic plasmas. Panasonic has indicated they will not be fixing this problem, as they don't see it as a problem. That's the mark of a really bad company.

I got this model from Amazon about a month ago. Delivery service was excellent. They arrived within the time window and carefully set everything up and waited until I confirmed everything was working.

For the first 100 hours, I used the Standard picture mode with contrast and brightness at 50. After that I used the Spears & Munsil disk to tune. The picture is outstanding. Very detailed, bright and realistic. No one who buys this tv will be sorry.

I found the THX mode too dim and washed out. None of the out of the box modes looked good to me for live sports. The professional reviewers like CNET recommend brightness at a level too high for my tastes (it produces a haze over the picture). They also recommend the Warm2 color temperature which makes the picture look too yellow too me. I thought I would share my settings for those who aren't quite happy with the picture they are getting.

For live sports:

Picture mode: Game
Contrast: 100
Brightness: 60
Color: 58
Tint: -3
Sharpness: 50
Color temp: Cool1
HDsize2
Turn off all the other video processing filters

For movies and general tv watching:

Picture mode: Custom
Contrast: 75
Brightness: 41
Color: 46
Tint: -2
Sharpness: 50
Color temp: Normal
HDsize2
Turn off all the other video processing filters

Having owned this model of television for a week now, I am in an ongoing state of happiness about the visual acuity and distinct picture quality this television produces. In selecting a replacement television, I had made innumerable trips to many electronics departments, reading reviews for months and after a final piece written in PC Magazine, I had settled on this Consumer Electronics Show (CES)2009 winner. As the specifications detail, there is no glare even in a brightly lit room. The colors are very rich, yet true and the casement lends a very elegant unobtrusive presence to any room. As of this review, I have not fully implemented all of the viewing options (namely Viera Cast), but upon my order of a high performance wireless repeater, I will be certain to update this post. The only regret that I have is that I did not order the 50-inch. With so much beauty and functionality in the 46, the 50-inch would have been a joy to behold.

First of all, if you're considering buying this monitor, buy it through Amazon. Great price. Free delivery. They set it up for you (White glove delivery included). Secondly, inspect it before you sign the delivery paperwork. No one is perfect. The delivery company that Amazon uses to deliver their HDTV monitors is very good in my limited experience (three HDTV purchases online.) Now, this Panasonic monitor itself delivers amazing picture quality. The THX mode is best for watching movies right out of the box. Yes, it can be calibrated in the custom mode, and believe it or not, the picture can be even better. For the price, this model can't be beat. If you're still not sure, go to CNET and read their professional review of this model or visit a forum like AVS. By the way, some people are reporting a loud buzzing sound in some of the units they purchased. I, however, am happy to report that no such problem exists with my unit.

this tv is awesome!we shopped around and researched for 6 months at least and this one has it all.it's got a really beautiful picture,a great price too.we got way more tv for our money shopping amazon then our local big box electronic store. we ordered on a wednesday it was delivered on monday no problems.we opened it up,plugged it in and haven't moved since.awesome picture,i used to read at nights, not any more.

I previously owned a LG 47" LCD television. I have had this 46g10 for about two weeks and it is superior to the LG in every way. I have friends that own LCD's and they are envious of the colors and picture of this television. Bottom line is, the black levels are great, the color is great, the picture is great, the motion clarity is great. Don't worry about the supposed "overly green" or "red push" you may read about. The TV looks great. Only equipment is going to pick up those discrepancies. Skin tone seems spot on as does the greens and blues. Standard pictures are also very good. No complaints....except week sound, but that is the case for all flat screen TV's. Not much use out of the Viera cast yet, but love the card reader for looking at pictures. Price for quality, this TV is awesome and Plasma defeats LCD hands down. I will save the fifth star for reliability of which I can't comment yet...no problems so far.

I initially got an LG 48" LCD from Costco for $999, but as soon as I had it installed in my bedroom I realized its shortcomings...picture was too bright, even with the lamp brightness turned down (I know some folks actually like this, but that is not a "true" picture). Close-ups were grainy, and the low screen refresh rate (60 MHz) made fast moving images (sports, primarily) look blurry.

After a lot of research I went for the new 2009 Panasonic G10 48" plasma from Amazon. "I paid $1319 for it and at that time it was the lowest price anywhere, including some unknown websites that I am always hesitant to buy from.

TV was delivered in 3 days, and set-up was a piece of cake. The picture was great out of the box (standard factory settings), and with some tweaking using the "advanced" controls, I quickly found the ideal picture for me. Images are very sharp yet warm, the colors are deep and rich. The blacks are the blackest possible, and there is even a setting that allows you to control this to your liking. Images refresh at 600MHz (10x the LCD refresh rate) so watching sports is sheer joy. Controls are easy with simple menu based options.

I watched Valkyrie in BluRay (via my Sony Vaio laptop) and was blown away by the 1080p quality. I can only imagine how good it will be with a real Blu Ray player, which I plan to add soon.

The only irritant is the relatively tinny sound from the built-in speakers, but I will be adding an AV Receiver and external surround speakers soon, so this is really not a concern for me. I like my high end audio eqpt, so I may be a little unduly harsh on the G10's sound quality, but I think they are ok for general everday TV watching.

Overall opinion, the G10 is a great TV and I will recommend it to anyone. [...] you don't need to spend a dime more on the more expensive Sony's etc. I have always preferred plasma over LCD, and this is my second Panasonic plasma (the other is in my den, with a Harmon Kardon amp and JBL tower speakers). Great TV...go for it, you will not be disappointed.